Joining a sports team

There is no reason why deaf children shouldn’t enjoy sport just as much as their hearing friends. With deaf awareness and a few adjustments, parents and coaches can make sure nothing holds deaf children back from getting involved in sport. 

Communication

Communication between teammates and coaches is a vital part of team sports. When working with deaf children, there are some additional things to think about. 

Talk about communication preferences

When a deaf child joins a sports team, coaches and teachers should ask the child or young person how they like to communicate. For younger children, parents can help to explain.

You may find it useful to create a personal passport. This explains a child’s communication preferences and how adults can best support them. This can be shared with other coaches and staff on the team. 

If your child uses British Sign Language (BSL), explain this to the coach early so that you can make communication plans. You may be able to:

• Arrange a BSL interpreter or Communication Support Worker (CSWs) - you or the team would usually need to pay for this. However, help may be available from your council (check your Local Offer for more information) or some early-career professionals volunteer for free to develop their skills.

• Find a BSL teacher who can offer introductory sport-related BSL to coaches and teammates. The best way to learn to sign is through a BSL course taught by a qualified deaf teacher. 

Visual communication

Most sports can be taught visually. For many deaf young people, this can be clearer than spoken instructions, particularly when out on the pitch or in a noisy sports hall. 

Some options include:

• flashcards
• flags
• pre-agreed gestures
• BSL signs
• mini white board and pen
• demonstrating what to do 

During matches, it can help if referees use visual communication. This could include:

• Wave your arms – this is a common way to get someone’s attention in the deaf community.

• Raising a flag at the same time as blowing a whistle.

• Have assistant referees wave flags in different areas of the pitch when the whistle is blown.
• Throw a brightly-coloured bib onto the pitch to show that play should stop.
• Use gestures to indicate things like a foul or a throw-in.

All of Jodie’s coaches have been really good with her. Her first coach had never coached a deaf player before, but I explained some adjustments they could make; explain things face-to-face before sending her onto the field, don’t shout instructions into the wind and rain, verify she’s understood you.”

Phil discussed adjustments his daughter Jodie (17), who is profoundly deaf, needed with her rugby coaches.

Deaf awareness

Having coaches and teammates who are deaf aware can make a huge difference to communication. These strategies can help:

• Make sure you have the child’s attention before you speak or sign to them. You could tap them on the shoulder or wave at them.
• Face the child while giving instructions.
• Stay in one place and don’t walk around the pitch while speaking or signing.
• Don't cover your mouth while speaking or speak with a whistle in your mouth.
• Be aware of how surroundings can affect communication. For example, verbal communication may be more challenging in an echoey sports hall and visual communication may be harder on a dark outdoor football pitch. Instead, ensure instructions are given in a well-lit and quiet area.
• When communicating with the whole team, have everyone stand or sit in a circle so that all the players can clearly see their coaches and teammates.
• Sometimes, deaf children can get left behind when their teammates go to do an activity, as it hasn’t been explained in an accessible way. Take time to take the deaf player to one side and explain the activity to them before the rest of the team, so they are fully prepared when the activity begins.
• It’s important to check that the child has understood what you’ve said, as some children may feel too shy to ask you to repeat yourself. However, many deaf children don’t like to be singled out. Ask the whole team questions to check for understanding. If you’re unsure that the deaf child has understood, take them aside and check separately.
• Don’t give up – if you’re finding it difficult to communicate, try another way. Try explaining things differently, write it down, use pictures or demonstrate. 

Hearing technology

Protecting hearing technology

Some activities, particularly contact sports, can risk damage to hearing aids or implant processors. 

Speak to your audiologist or a hearing technology specialist. They will be able to advise if there’s any equipment or certain kinds of helmets that will allow your child to wear their technology and protect it for them. For example, they could wear a scrum cap during rugby games. 

Radio aids

If you use a hearing aid or implant, a radio aid may be helpful on the pitch.

Ask the coach to wear the transmitter during practice or the referee to wear it during a match.

Joining a deaf sports team

Lots of deaf people play sports with hearing teammates. However, there are also lots of deaf sports teams across the UK, in which all or the majority of players are deaf or have hearing loss. 

There are lots of reasons why deaf sportspeople may enjoy being part of a deaf team.

• In deaf sports, everything is done with deaf accessibility in mind. This means deaf players don’t have to ask for accommodations like visual cues – they know that deaf-friendly policies are already in place.
• Deaf sports teams prioritise effective communication between players, coaches and referees. Deaf teammates will often understand communication preferences better than hearing people.
• Many people in deaf teams say that they can concentrate more on the game, as they don’t have to think about communication or accessibility. This can help them focus on improving their performance and having fun.
• Playing in a deaf team can help players to make deaf friends, connect with the Deaf community, explore Deaf culture and express their identity.

There are deaf teams for all sorts of sports, including football, rugby and netball. There are also some emerging sports that are becoming particularly popular in the Deaf community, such as pickleball and padel. 

You can find a deaf sports team near you by visiting the UK Deaf Sport website.